History and Recent Membership of the
Committee on Environment and Public Works

In 1837, the Senate created the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to oversee the development of the Federal buildings in the young, but growing Federal City of Washington, DC. In 1947, during a reorganization of Senate committees, the panel was renamed the Committee on Public Works. Following another major organizational revision in 1977, its name was changed to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Over the years the committee's public works jurisdiction has grown from oversight of new Federal building construction, additions to the U.S. Capitol building and grounds, and the White House and its grounds, to legislative responsibility for the development of the Nation's interstate highway system, flood control and navigation projects.

In 1963, the responsibility for creating new laws to achieve air and water pollution control, rural and community economic development, and relief from natural disasters was given to the committee. The passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, brought the committee recognition as the Senate's forum for protection of the environment. In 1977, the committee was assigned the jurisdiction over endangered species, fish and wildlife refuges and programs, and the regulation of nonmilitary nuclear power.

The committee's oversight extends to programs in five cabinet level departments and seven independent agencies, including the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration and the Coast Guard, the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the GSA's Public Buildings Service, the Council on Environmental Quality, the civil works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Mississippi River Commission, and the nonperforming functions of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

[9] .The committee membership was increased from 16 to 18 members in October 1983 to provide for the addition of Senators Evans and Lautenberg, following the death of Henry Jackson. Senator Jackson was not a member of EPW, but Sen. Evan's appointment to the Senate affected committee ratios and his appointment permitted Sen. Lautenberg to join the committee.

[10] . Senator Burdick died on September 8, 1992 and Senator Moynihan was elected chairman on September 15, 1992.

[11]. Senator Wofford joined the committee May 8, 1991, having been appointed to the Senate upon the death of Senator John Heinz..

[12] . Senator Jocelyn Burdick was appointed by the Governor and served from September 12, 1992 until December 4, 1992, when Senator Conrad was elected by special election to complete the term of Senator Quentin Burdick.

[13] .Senator John H. Chafee died October 24, 1999, and Senator Smith was elected chairman November 2, 1999.

[15] . Pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 8, passed by the Senate on January 1, 2001, and because the ratio of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate was 50-50, the committee ratio became nine Republicans and nine Democrats at the convening of the 107th Congress.

[16] . Senator Bob Smith, a Republican, assumed the chairmanship on January 21, 2001, upon the oath of office taken by Vice President Richard Cheney, a Republican.

[17]. Pursuant to S. Res. 251, adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2002, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell was replaced on the committee by Senator Pete V. Domenici.

[18] . Pursuant to S. Res. 251, adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2002, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell was replaced on the committee by Senator Pete V. Domenici.

[19] . Senator Jeffords, an Independent, was appointed as a member and chairman of the committee on July 10, 2001. The committee membership was expanded to 19 members; 1 Independent, 9 Democrats, and 9 Republicans.

[20] . Senator Reid, a Democrat, held the chairmanship until January 21, 2001, when Al Gore, a Democrat, vacated the office of Vice President of the United States. Senator Reid became Acting Chairman on June 6, 2001, when the Democratic Party assumed the majority of the Senate.